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Edge of the Couch
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Manage series 2872101
Content provided by Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary, Jordan Pickell, and Alison McCleary. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary, Jordan Pickell, and Alison McCleary or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Two good friends and experienced therapists explore the topics that were either shied away from or dismissed because they were too big, too nuanced, too risky, or too uncomfortable to address in school or even in supervision. We want to inspire and encourage new therapists to think more deeply, show up more fully, and find humour and self-compassion in navigating the messier parts of being a therapist.
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120 episodes
Mark all (un)played …
Manage series 2872101
Content provided by Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary, Jordan Pickell, and Alison McCleary. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jordan Pickell and Alison McCleary, Jordan Pickell, and Alison McCleary or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Two good friends and experienced therapists explore the topics that were either shied away from or dismissed because they were too big, too nuanced, too risky, or too uncomfortable to address in school or even in supervision. We want to inspire and encourage new therapists to think more deeply, show up more fully, and find humour and self-compassion in navigating the messier parts of being a therapist.
…
continue reading
120 episodes
All episodes
×Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Being a Therapist in 2024 conference at the beautiful Jane Headquarters in North Vancouver. In this special episode, we dive into questions from the audience about niching, overcoming imposter syndrome, and working within organizations. We wrap up with messages to our younger selves, reflecting on what we wish we’d known when we were just starting out. We’re so grateful for our listeners and invite you to leave a review, follow us on Patreon to access a catalogue of bonus content, and stay connected as we prepare for our next season. As always, we love to hear from you, so please reach out with your thoughts and questions! See you in the new year!…
How can we support clients in navigating the big life decisions, including to stay or leave relationships, choose career paths, or family planning? In this episode, we explore the therapeutic role of discernment. Often, people are grappling with the pros and cons of each choice. Some of these conversations are vital and productive, and other times, it feels like we are spinning our wheels. As the therapist, we can find ourselves frustrated or stuck not knowing where to go next. In the context of therapy, discernment isn't about finding the 'right' answer. Instead, it's about slowing down, exploring the layers of a decision, and really getting to the heart of what feels right for them. It’s about creating space for their values, fears, and desires to emerge— without rushing to solve it or decide immediately. How do you approach discernment in your own practice? Do you find yourself giving your opinions, or do you project a sense of 'neutrality'? What do you do when the client feels stuck in not being able to move forward?…
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Edge of the Couch
1 Managing Crisis (Without Becoming a Crisis Worker) 46:29
46:29
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46:29Content note: This episode discusses suicide and abuse. Are therapists crisis workers? We believe that the role of the therapist and the role of the crisis worker are distinct, yet, in certain situations, we can still find ourselves pulled into that role. In this episode, we break down the crucial differences between emergencies, crises, and general distress, and explore where our responsibilities begin and end in a private practice setting. We discuss why it's essential to connect clients to appropriate crisis resources, the scope of our work as therapists, and what might be driving the urge to step in during critical moments. Are you clear on your own boundaries when it comes to crisis management, or do you sometimes blur the lines? Remember, we're speaking from the context of private practice in BC, Canada. Make sure to consult your own licensing body and legal requirements in your jurisdiction. This episode is not a substitute for supervision or legal advice, but rather a list of things to consider when navigating these complex situations.…
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Did you hear the phrase “follow the client” in graduate school and wonder what it really means in practice? In this episode, we dive into the nuances of this concept, exploring how therapists balance the art of staying present with the client’s story while holding the bigger picture in mind. We talk about how goals in therapy can shift over time and how we can support clients by being curious about what’s beneath the surface. Join us as we reflect on what it looks like to trust the client’s process while still guiding them toward deeper healing. What does "follow the client" look like in your practice?…
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Edge of the Couch
1 When Does Compassion Cross Over into Complicity? 36:24
36:24
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36:24Have you heard the phrase 'The worst person you know has a therapist encouraging and validating their behaviour'? In this episode, we tackle a tricky line in therapy-- when compassion tips into complicity in a client's harmful, toxic, or otherwise unkind behaviour. We talk about the skill and risk involved in calling clients in when they’re not acting in alignment with their own or our shared ethics. We reflect on our own struggles and strategies for working with clients who might be stuck in what some might label as 'arrogance' or 'a victim mentality'— a phrase with terrible, belittling connotations, but it points to something real when clients can’t see the whole picture. We explore when a therapist should be more active versus more passive in holding clients accountable and how we help them orient toward change. Do you tend to confront or hold back too much? How can we support clients to break out of black-and-white thinking for their own benefit and the people around them?…
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Edge of the Couch
1 Watching Our Very First Recording: When Edge of the Couch was Reel Therapy Talk 1:07:52
1:07:52
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1:07:52In this special episode, we watch and react to our first recording together, before Edge of the Couch, an unpublished episode of a podcast that would never be: 'Reel Therapy Talk' where we would talk about pop culture from the perspective of therapists. On April 6, 2020, we recorded our first and only episode. Love is Blind was having a cultural moment, and it inspired us to talk about the reality show characters, Jessica and Marc. In 2024, our rewatch brings up tender and surprising feelings. We laugh at ourselves, and compare our lives from then to now. Let us know what you think! **Follow us on Patreon to view this episode in video format.** www.patreon.com/edgeofthecouch…
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Edge of the Couch
1 DEI is Not Enough: A Conversation with Bhupie Dulay and Abby Chow 42:01
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42:01In this special episode, Bhupie Dulay and Abby Chow come on the podcast to talk about how we can rather than rely on the reductionist approach to working with clients with marginalized identities, radically reimagine what relationality looks like in relationships inside and outside the therapy room. We talk about what it means to practice hope, how our work is essentially about love, and the immense responsibility and power we have as therapists. To learn more about their upcoming summit, Leaning into Liberatory Practice: Bringing Love + Relationality Back Into Therapy, visit www.reflectingonjustice.com/summit .…
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Edge of the Couch
1 Getting Dumped: When the client decides to terminate 29:02
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29:02In this episode, we talk about the roller coaster of emotions that come with getting "dumped" by clients. We discuss the different ways clients can terminate therapy, how each one hits us differently, and the common mistakes we make that might lead to their departure. We talk about mistakes that we make that have lead to clients terminating. We also explore whether or not it is wise to chase down a client after they've left, why the urge to email them can be so strong, and why, more often than not, it's best to let them go. Have you ever been dumped by a client?…
Do all therapists engage in dream work, or is it more of a niche practice? We discuss what might hold newer therapists back from exploring their clients' dreams and share how we integrate dream work into our own practices. Plus, we open up about our experiences in an informal projective dream group and how it has shaped our approach as therapists. How do you incorporate dreams into your therapeutic work, or is it something you’re curious to try?…
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Edge of the Couch
Sometimes clients will come right out and tell you what they are feeling frustrated, annoyed, or concerned about. Sometimes clients may have a harder time communicating “negative” things and their frustrations may come out in passive aggressive ways. But what do we do when clients are communicating passive aggressively? Do we let the little remakes pass, do we respond to them directly, or do we actively avoid them out of discomfort? This week’s episode is about navigating the complexities of communication styles and how to know when you address a client’s passive aggressive remarks. We both share what comes up for us when someone is being passive aggressive and what that can mean for the therapeutic work!…
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Edge of the Couch
1 Clients Recording Their Therapist: An emerging trend 37:43
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37:43In this episode, we dive into a recent trend of clients secretly or openly recording their therapy sessions. We discuss how it might feel as a therapist to discover you're being recorded and wrestle with the ethical implications surrounding this practice. We discuss the different motivations behind recording—whether it’s for memory retention, accountability, or creating content for social media. Does the fear of being recorded reveal deeper concerns about avoiding accountability in our profession? How would YOU feel if you learned you were being recorded?…
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Edge of the Couch
1 How to Create Continuity from Session to Session 29:28
29:28
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29:28In this episode, we dive into who is responsible for creating a sense of continuity in therapy-- the client or the therapist. We discuss the role of homework, strategic note-taking, and what you might say at the beginning or end of sessions to keep the flow going. How do you ensure each session builds on the last? Share your thoughts with us!…
After receiving 4 (FOUR!!!!) emails asking about an erotic transference episode, we finally had a chance to discuss the topic. Erotic transference happens in a lot of therapeutic relationships and some theoretical orientations lean in to its exploration (think psychoanalysis), but many of us were not given any guidance about what to do when it comes up. How should we respond when a client has a crush on us, wants to keep seeing us because of their erotic feelings towards us, or wishes to have sex with us?…
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Edge of the Couch
In this episode, we tackle the misuse of therapy speak and its impact. We delve into popular buzzwords, how these terms are being used (and misused), and discuss the important role therapists can play in educating clients on their proper use and definitions.
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